546 Observations respecting Mr. Holoden's 



pears to me, with all due deference to Mr. Howden, to be 

 not only lowering, but positively sinking, the dignity of our 

 ancient profession. To be recommended to a tallow-chandler 

 for instruction ! ! ! I think there must be some consanguinity 

 between prose and poetry ; for this comparison reminds me of 

 a ludicrous couplet I have seen or heard somewhere, exhibit- 

 ing a specimen of what, I believe, the critics call the bathos, 

 or the art of sinking in poetry ; in which a death by light- 

 ning is thus described, due solemnity of course being given 

 to the diction, for it is part of an epitaph : — 



" By elemental fire this maid was kill'd, 

 Behind a haycock, in John Stanly's field." 



Besides, Sir, my humble opinion is, that both metaphor and 

 analogy are exceptionable modes of expression when reason- 

 ing on vegetable substances ; for our deductions by analogy 

 are not unfrequently the converse of those we arrive at by 

 physiology. The strawberry plant, to wit : cut off the stolons 

 as they appear, says analogy, and you will strengthen and 

 fructify the parent plant. Touch not one till they are 

 rooted, says physiology, and you will strengthen and fructify 

 the parent plant. Now, which is right, analogy or physi- 

 ology ? Analogy, the novice would say ; but the experienced 

 horticulturist knows that physiology is right. Adjust (by 

 pruning) the branches to the roots of transplanted trees, says 

 analogy. Touch not a twig, or a leaf, says physiology ; and 

 physiology is right; notwithstanding a contrary opinion has 

 been expressed by Mr. Gorrie, a man whose name I men- 

 tion with great respect, and who is an honour to his pro- 

 fession. 



That the plan of not pruning transplanted trees is strictly in 

 accordance with the principles of physiology, I think few men 

 will hesitate to admit ; for the gardener is almost daily exem- 

 plifying the principle, in either striking or cutting, removing 

 his celery plants, or transplanting his cabbages. I remember 

 the time when it was thought excellent practice to dock all 

 these, both at the top and bottom ! ! Even a carnation could 

 not be layered nor a pink piping struck without some empirical 

 mutilation ! ! A better practice now happily prevails. Be- 

 sides, it is practised by thousands, merely from the effect of 

 long habit and observation. In Devonshire the plan of not 

 pruning transplanted apple trees is general, and there I first 

 learned it from a farmer and planter, who knew as much 

 about physiology as about Sanscrit ; nevertheless he practised 

 transplanting trees with as much success, though with infinitely 

 less notoriety than the far-famed Sir Henry Steuart, whose 



